3 options outlined for Pakachoag Golf Course's future

Monday

Feb 10, 2014 at 9:52 PM

By Ellie Oleson CORRESPONDENT

AUBURN — Selectmen on Monday night were given three options for the future management of the town-owned Pakachoag Golf Course, including following the lead of two Central Massachusetts public courses that manage and maintain their facilities on their own.

The 54-acre course has been managed by Weston-based Johnson Golf Management since 1996, when that firm was awarded a 10-year contract to run the course.

In 2005, selectmen tried to award the next 10-year contract to Ronald A. Otterson of 155 Pakachoag St., but Douglas W. Johnson, president of Johnson Golf, sued the town in Middlesex Superior Court, claiming Auburn had engaged in unfair business practices. As a result, Mr. Otterson withdrew his bid.

Selectmen put the contract out to bid again, then awarded the contract to Mr. Otterson, Paul R. Anderson and Steven M. Ward.

In 2006, then-Middlesex Superior Court Judge Julian T. Houston granted Mr. Johnson a preliminary injunction that prohibited the town from having anyone but Mr. Johnson run the course until the case was settled. An appeal was denied, as was a request for a change of venue to Worcester Superior Court.

Four years and more than $36,000 in legal fees later, the town settled with Mr. Johnson in 2010. He agreed to give the town $25,000 the first year, and $36,000 per year through 2015, when his contract will run out. He also agreed to provide a new storage facility and fuel depot.

Julie A. Jacobson, town manager, told selectmen that Pakachoag revenues have been reported to be as much as $244,000 per year. She said other nine-hole courses report $400,000 annual revenues.

She said that, after much research, the town administration had narrowed possibilities for management of the course, starting in 2016, to three options.

Department of Public Works Director William A. Coyle said the town could lease the entire facility to a private contractor again; contract for either management or maintenance services only, with the town maintaining control of the course the way Worcester runs the Green Hill Golf Course; or have the course run entirely as a municipal facility under the Department of Public Works, as is the Gardner Municipal Golf Course.

Ms. Jacobson said town administration recommended either the final option, "if it is financially feasible," or the "hybrid model, combining municipal operations and management with contracted maintenance services."

She said a financial analysis will be done on all options before recommendations are made to selectmen.

"Our goal is to maintain a first-class facility with a reasonable (greens) fee."